Ruger #1 SS 45-70 with constricted bore
I recently purchased a Ruger #1 SS 45-70 rifle. I ran a soft patch through the bore before firing 10 rounds to sight it in. I took it into the shop for cleaning. Ran a Hoppe's #9 patch and then a tight dry patch through the bore. The tight patch hung up at a point underneath the front sling swivel band. The band had been swedged so tightly around the barrel that the barrel at that point had been constricted. Not just a little bit, but enough to hang up a patch. I sent the rifle back to Ruger for examination. To my surprise they returned it with the comments that it shot good and that it met factory accuracy specs. They also sent a copy of a three shot target with a small group but no indication of the distance. What would you experts do?
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I would shoot it a while with jacketed rounds and not worry about it unless you can notice something with the naked eye. The rifle is a big
bore and a real cannon with the right loads.
I just do not think the band screw could compress that much steel.
and I would also think stock would be compressed first.0 -
The swing swivel band does not go around the fore end, only around the barrel. 0 -
I was thinking about the .458 and probably a couple of others I used
to have. The barrel you have is massive and that band was meant not
to come loose under severe recoil so it was put on to stay.
Unless you have a visible ring or bulge in your steel, I think with
the good accuracy you are getting it would be something I could live
with.
Back in the '90's, I had the 700 safari .458 and my pal had a #1h
.45-70 and we both loaded 400gr speers to where we thought we could
stop anything on this planet.
Loose scope mounts,loose screws, loose fillings in our teeth as a result.
If it still bothers you, Send it back again and tell them to make it right. I think they will.0 -
quote:Originally posted by oscat271
I was thinking about the .458 and probably a couple of others I used
to have. The barrel you have is massive and that band was meant not
to come loose under severe recoil so it was put on to stay.
Unless you have a visible ring or bulge in your steel, I think with
the good accuracy you are getting it would be something I could live
with.
Back in the '90's, I had the 700 safari .458 and my pal had a #1h
.45-70 and we both loaded 400gr speers to where we thought we could
stop anything on this planet.
Loose scope mounts,loose screws, loose fillings in our teeth as a result.
If it still bothers you, Send it back again and tell them to make it right. I think they will.
oscat271,
The Barrel Band swivel stud has NEVER been around the forearm on a Ruger #1 from the factory. They have been(barrel band like a 10/22) on the #3, but not the #1. Not from the factory at least, and if your 458 and couple others were a #1 from the factory, neither did they. You should not give advice to shoot a big rifle with restricted bore. That can get someone hurt. This is an EXPERTS forum, and not intended to try to get someone's face blowed off, by "trying it and see what happens".
EDIT 1
Ruger is trying to not have to eat the cost of the rifle...plain and simple. What happens when you run a solid thru it after cape buffalo, or grizzly? It is not right, and Ruger should fix it, or replace it for the customer. There is not a steel band around the section of barrel before the band, where the pressure is being elevated by the constriction at the band.
onepopper,
I would see if I could find another #1 that was the same as yours and check it. A restricted barrel has to have increased pressures. If it stops a tight patch, it will tend to have that same effect on the bullet too. Barrels of a rifle are not intended to be restricted. I would press the point with Ruger that this is not normal, and I wanted one that is.
Best0 -
We are talking about a soft patch meeting some resistance in bore.
There is a steel band around the barrel in the same area.
This was stated early on.
I explained this in my second reply.
Ruger who made and sold and examined and shot item in question.
It is within specs.
There is Nothing dangerous in the least.
Been doing this for a while snd still got All my important parts.
Barrel has a problem only in a persons mind.
IT passed proof. It passed reinspection. It was shot by Ruger.
1H .45-70 is a Ruger.
You want better, pay more for something else.0 -
quote:Originally posted by onepopper
I recently purchased a Ruger #1 SS 45-70 rifle. I ran a soft patch through the bore before firing 10 rounds to sight it in. I took it into the shop for cleaning. Ran a Hoppe's #9 patch and then a tight dry patch through the bore. The tight patch hung up at a point underneath the front sling swivel band. The band had been swedged so tightly around the barrel that the barrel at that point had been constricted. Not just a little bit, but enough to hang up a patch. I sent the rifle back to Ruger for examination. To my surprise they returned it with the comments that it shot good and that it met factory accuracy specs. They also sent a copy of a three shot target with a small group but no indication of the distance. What would you experts do?
You can use a brass jag to get a better feel, but I would slug the bore to determine if there is a restriction. Slug the bore from the muzzle but don't pass the restriction - measure. Slug the bore and pass through the restriction - measure. When you slug the bore and (if present) pass through the restriction you should then feel less resistance.
If you don't know how to do it, as some blackpowder cartridge shooters, they probably do.
If there is a restriction I would provide the results to Ruger and tell them you want the problem corrected. I would be persistent and not settle for an "it's OK". If they won't correct the problem, I would tell them you're going to sell the gun, maybe they'll have 2 unhappy customers? I'd include a copy of this thread and tell them it will either end with a "Ruger took care of me" or "I've bought my last Ruger". Polite & persistent up the chain usually gets results.
With respect to damage or danger, in this instance I doubt there is any safety concern because the No1 is so strong (I have the 458 and 375 H & H) I can't imagine, even with No1 level handloads, getting enough pressure to cause a problem - but, you never know what set of circumstances can occur in a barrel if there is a problem, if you're not comfortable firing the gun it would follow (I think) that it shouldn't be sold to another shooter. My guess is that Ruger tested the rifle with factory loads safe for even Trapdoor rifle use, those are generally very low pressure loads.
You did pay for a gun that is properly made and that should be the determining factor.
As an aside - do you know for certain how Ruger attaches the barrel band to the No 1 barrel? If you learned it was slipped on and soldered would that change your conclusion? You may want to visit the Ruger forum and ask the question specifically, it could be that the barrel band is heated (expanded) then cooled and welded/brazed for a tight fit with no swaging. I don't know the answer, but I'm sure they will know.0 -
Of course Ruger is happy, "it meets our standards" which is a bullet comes out the end when the trigger is pulled. I sent a revolver back to them and got the same "meets standards" BS. After lots of sizing and fitting it finally shots like Bill Ruger would have liked.
2 cents worth0 -
Perhaps I should explain that I am not a newby to shooting. I am 76 yrs old. I started rebuilding Martini rifles in 1950. I was a graduate of the Navy's small arms instructor school and hold an NRA rifle and pistol Master Qual. I taught small arms and helicopter gunner classes. I placed 2nd in Navy rifle matches and third in Navy pistol matches. I taught California Hunter Safety. Had a gun repair shop in Maine in 1960-1965, gun smithing in San Diego 1966, and a gun repair and blueing business in Arkansas 1975 to 2005. I still rebuild Martinis. And it really pisses me off that Ruger thinks that they can get away with an obvious defect by just not acknowledging the defect. 0 -
Call Ruger and don't take we will not replace or repair for an answer ask for the persons supervisor until you get someone that can make a decision not just a CANNED answer "it meets our spec's " 0 -
Factory standards are pretty lax. Friend of mine got back a "corrected" 7x57 with what looked like a fairly good 100 yard group... but actually shot at 50 so not very encouraging.
Constricted barrels are not uncommon. Revolver barrels have been overtorqued into the frame enough to reduce their I.D. under the threads.
There was a lever action customizer who lapped out the dents in the bore caused by deep heavy roll marks.
I had a .45 ACP barrel with a depression in the chamber caused by the caliber stamp.
If it is usably accurate, you don't have much comeback.0
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